Auto Show Charity Preview Sales Jump
DETROIT – (WWJ) In a possible sign of an improving local economy, sales of tickets for next month's North American International Auto Show Charity Preview are up significantly over last year.
"We are seeing a decidedly upbeat industry, and all the excitement is focused on the North American International Auto Show, right here in 'The D,'" Bill Perkins, chairman, NAIAS 2012 said. "The fact that Charity Preview ticket sales are already up 20 percent with just under a month to go is a pretty strong indicator of what's to come."
The North American International Auto Show Charity Preview is scheduled for Friday evening, January 13th. It follows a week of press and industry previews, and sets the stage for the opening of the public show the following morning.
Tickets to the event cost $250. $240 of that is tax deductable.
The Charity Preview has become a major winter event in Detroit. Several years ago, there were waiting lists for tickets that topped $400 dollars. But, with the recession, ticket sales fell, and the price was reduced to $250.
Since that new price was introduced a few years ago, sales have increased each year.
"We're thrilled for our industry," said Perkins. "We're thrilled for our city. And we're thrilled for the children's charities, which depend on all of us."
The Charity Preview has raised $84 million dollars for children's charities over the past 35 years, $33 million of that in the last seven years alone.
Beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit, The Children's Center, Judson Center, The Detroit Institute for Children, Think Detroit PAL, March of Dimes, Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Charity Preview tickets can be purchased on-line now at charitypreview.com or by phone at 888-838-7500.
Connect with Jeff Gilbert
Email: jdgilbert@cbs.com
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